Shqipe Selimi: The Fires of Freedom convey the message of resistance and the just character of the KLA’s war

The Hill of Martyrs in Gjilan became the site where the Fire of Freedom was lit on Saturday evening, marking the conclusion of the “7 Fires in the KLA’s 7 Operational Zones” activity, organized by the “Freedom Has a Name” platform.

The activity brought together KLA veterans, families of martyrs, war invalids, citizens, representatives of political parties, sports clubs and religious communities. The organizers presented the lighting of the fire as a symbol of Kosovo’s resistance, sacrifice and freedom.

Isuf Ahmeti, commander of the Karadak Operational Zone, said that Kosovo’s history had been built on the blood of its sons and daughters. He called on citizens to take part in the activities announced for the coming days, stressing that the return of the KLA’s former leaders on September 16 would be a victory for Kosovo.

According to Ahmeti, the country’s history does not need to be rewritten, as it has been proven through the sacrifice, wounds and commitment of the people to freedom, independence and the state of the Republic of Kosovo. He said the former leaders should be welcomed triumphantly, just as they once returned from battles.

Former KLA fighter Shqipe Selimi linked the lighting of the fires to the continuation of the struggle for freedom and to the testimony of the just character of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s war.

Selimi said that no court or people could change this truth, which, she said, was proven by the blood of her fellow fighters who gave their lives for freedom. She added that on September 16 she expected an acquittal for all her fellow fighters and their return to Kosovo with their reputations intact, since the prosecution and court had failed to prove the charges of crimes against humanity, command responsibility or the other allegations against the KLA and its leaders.

Ilir Tahiri, the activity’s organizer and a relative of veterans from Kosovo, called for veterans and the families of martyrs to unite in defense of the values of the war and state-building.

Tahiri: We knew how to wage war, and we know how to make peace

Tahiri said that Albanians had demonstrated that they knew how to fight, but also how to build peace. He acknowledged that some veterans and emblematic families had been divided over certain interests, but said they must now leave their divisions behind, unite and move forward.

Former lawmaker Ismajl Kurteshi said the judicial process concerning the KLA’s war should be based on evidence, not claims. He stressed that Serbia’s security structures had acted against the civilian population both during the war and 100 years earlier.

Kurteshi said that, apart from rumors, lies and fabricated claims made by Serbia and disseminated through its collaborators, there were no facts to justify convicting the liberators. According to him, substantial material resources had been provided to certain structures to target KLA fighters.

War veteran Malekie Imeri called on citizens to take part in the activities planned in Pristina in support of the KLA’s former leaders, who are being tried in The Hague.

Imeri said citizens should gather on September 12 and take part in the march for the KLA leaders, who, she said, had done everything for the country and Kosovo’s freedom. She expressed hope that on September 19 everyone would celebrate their release together.

Doctor and war participant Fatmir Korushtica spoke about the engagement of healthcare workers during the war in Çuka. He recalled that doctors, technicians and other healthcare workers from the region had responded without hesitation to calls for assistance in the war zones.

Korushtica said that, as the organizer of these activities, he had witnessed the readiness of healthcare workers to provide their services whenever needed, emphasizing that these values must be respected.

Activist Shaqir Shaqiri recalled the long journey of Albanians toward unity and freedom. He said that Albanians, divided by borders imposed by occupiers, had united around Kosovo and Ilirida, enduring defeats, imprisonment, bloodshed and sacrifice.

Shaqiri stressed that, after all this effort, the KLA was also created. He said the war was not waged for personal glory or to boast about individual contributions, but because freedom was more important than life.

As part of the program of the “Freedom Has a Name” platform, the March of Freedom has also been announced for September 12 in Pristina.